Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program (IEEEP) - Technical Assistance Webinar Details

Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program (IEEEP) Technical Assistance Webinar February 15, 2024 3:30-4:30 p.m. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Agenda 1. Basic Information 2. Fundamental Information 3. The Application 4. Award Determinations 5. Highlight some Key Dates 6. Questions (time permitting) 2

IEEEP Introduction CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction 3

Introduction Web page: The IEEEP information can be found here: https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r2/ieeepexpansionrfa.asp Overview and Instructions includes application questions Budget documents to download Current Assurances and Certifications Frequently Asked Questions 4

Introduction (1) From the IEEEP request for application (RFA) web page, open the Overview and Instructions Document. 5

Introduction (2) Overview: $116,030,430 million in competitive funds available to local educational agencies (LEAs) for the purposes of increasing access to subsidized, high-quality, inclusive, early care and education programs for children up to five years of age, including those children with disabilities (Education Code [EC] 8337). Background: In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Section 1400, all children with disabilities must receive their education alongside children without disabilities in the least restrictive environment to the maximum extent appropriate. The IEEEP is established for the purpose of increasing access to inclusive early care and education programs. 6

IEEEP Basic Information CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction 7

Basic Information (1) Grant Period: The grant period begins once Grant Award Notices (GANs) are signed and ends June 30, 2027 Eligibility: Eligible LEAs, which includes school districts, county offices of education (COEs), and charter schools, or a consortium led by one of the aforementioned entities 8

Basic Information (2) Consortium: An LEA may apply independently or on behalf of a consortium of early care and education providers. Consortium partners can be included if they are within the LEA s attendance area and will provide inclusive early care and education programs on behalf of the LEA. This includes subsidized early care and education programs that are operated by a Tribal program or a community- based organization (CBO). 9

Basic Information (3) If applying on behalf of a consortium of providers, the LEA must: remain in the consortium as the lead for the entire project period; act as the fiduciary agent, including compiling and submitting the consortium s fiscal and programmatic information; and collect and submit any data from the other LEAs or providers, as required by the CDE. The LEA can apply only on behalf of private or public agencies that currently provide one of the following subsidized programs under contract with the CDE or the California Department of Social Services (CDSS): California State Preschool Program (CSPP) General Child Care Services Family Child Care Home Education Network California Migrant Child Care Services 10

Basic Information (4) Data: Grantees are required to provide data that supports implementation of the grant's requirements, the implementation plan, work with California Early Care and Education Workforce Registry, and to provide support for the evaluation process. Professional Development: Grantees will be responsible for participating in inclusion-focused opportunities, such as trainings, webinars, and communities of practice. 11

Basic Information (5) Questions regarding the application and its process can be submitted to IEEEP-RFA@cde.ca.gov. Questions of a general theme will be answered Anything program-specific that potentially could give an applicant an unfair advantage will not be answered 12

IEEEP Fundamental Information CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction 13

Fundamental Information (1) IEEEP grant funds must be used to supplement existing state or local inclusion resources. The CDE has final discretion as to whether use of funding is consistent with those expressed purposes. The IEEEP grant funds must be used for any purposes consistent with activities that directly support one- time infrastructure costs only. 14

Fundamental Information (2) Allowable Costs: Needs assessment or creating or update local plan Adaptive equipment and facility renovations to improve accessibility Professional development training Stipends and professional development expenses Substitute pay 15

Fundamental Information (3) Allowable Costs: Professional development coaching Partnerships with institutes of higher education Conducting data collection for continuous improvement Staffing support to build relationships with CBOs to support inclusion. Funds shall not be used for ongoing expenses beyond the term of the grant. All applicants must comply with the principles and standards specified in the California School Accounting Manual and the CDE Audit Guide. 16

Fundamental Information (4) Rental or Lease to purchase Gift Card or Certificates Furniture Equipment for administrative use Purchase of space Memberships Promotional favors Travel out of the United States Non-Allowable Costs: All expenditures must contribute to the goals and objectives outlined in the RFA. Funds may not be used for a rental of a venue to provide professional development unless determined by the CDE to be necessary and reasonable. 17

IEEEP The Application CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction 18

Submission Information Submission Process: Application must be received by due date Applicants must adhere to character limits Applications meeting eligibility requirements will be reviewed by the CDE and evaluated using the scoring rubric Disqualified applicants will be informed in writing Appeals should be sent to IEEEP-RFA@cde.ca.gov 19

Online Application System New online application system Programs must pre-register with the system, and be approved before the application can be started To register for the online application system email IEEEP- RFA@cde.ca.gov Technical Assistance Sessions February 16, 2024, at 10 a.m. February 26, 2024, at 1 p.m. March 5, 2024, at 9 a.m. 20

The Application - Required Areas for Grantees Section I: Applicant Information Section II: Projected Increased Access Section III: Planning Template Section IV: Application Budget Section V: Allocation Priority Section VI: Application Agreement and Certification Application will be submitted through the Online Application System by March 15, 2024, by 5 p.m. 21

Section I Applicant Information 22

The Application - Section I: Applicant Information Question on Survey LEA or lead LEA Description of Response Provide the name of the entity apply for grant Select School District , County Office of Education , Charter School Insert the name, office name, telephone number, extension number (if applicable), and email address of the Point of Contact and Fiscal Contact. Type of Entity Point of Contact, Fiscal Contact, and contact information 23

The Application - Section I: Applicant Information (2) Question on Survey Does the applicant meet the requirements for hardship pursuant to Section 1705.10? Ages of children included in the plan Description of Response Yes or No Select the age range for the program(s) the applicant is including in the plan: Infant; Toddler or Preschool Provide applying entity s county of service Provide counties included in the consortium of the grant Enter the total number and names of the consortium partners County of lead agency County(ies) of all consortium partners included in the grant (if applicable) Consortium Members (if applicable) 24

Section II Projected Increased Access 25

The Application - Section II: Projected Increased Access This section is worth 40 points total. Plan to increase access subsection is worth up to 14points Plan of placement options subsection is worth up to 21 points and has two questions Projected increased access subsection is worth up to 5 points and includes a table. 26

Section III Planning Template 27

The Application - Section III: Planning Template This section is worth 129 points total Focus Area A:Grant Oversight, Implementation, and Sustainability is worth up to 28 points Focus Area B:Grant Leadership, Planning and Collaboration up to 42 points Focus Area C: Professional Development up to 49 points 28

The Application - Section III: Planning Template (2) Focus Area D: Adaptive Equipment and Facilities Renovation is not scored, and only required if the budget includes adaptive equipment and facility renovation expenses. Focus Area E: Linking Application Data is worth up to 10 points and includes a questionnaire 29

Section IV Application Budget 30

The Application - Section IV: Application Budget This section is required but not scored The Budget Summary is required but not scored The Budget Narrative is required but not scored 31

The Application - Section IV: Application Budget (2) Budget Summary: Provide totals for each object code, align with Proposed Budget Detail. Budget Narrative: Provide a completed Proposed Budget Narrative with sufficient detail for each identified cost associated with implementing the proposed goals and activities. The expenditures must be clearly tied to the activities described in the implementation plan of the application. 32

Section V Allocation of Priority 33

The Application - Section V: Allocation Priority This section is worth up to 10 points Applicants are only scored in Section V if they meet the minimum criteria and achieve a total score of 119. Free and Reduced Priced Meals percentages 34

Award Determinations CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction 35

Award Determinations Eligibility For an applicant to be eligible for awarding of funds: Pass Application Screening Checklist Meets minimum threshold of 70 percent of the total score on Sections II IV (119 points) Scored on Section V: Allocation Priority 36

Award Determinations Accountability LEAs who are awarded funding must: develop a plan to fiscally sustain subsidized spaces or programs beyond the grant period; utilize resources necessary to support professional development to allow staff to develop the knowledge and skills required to implement effective, high-quality inclusive practices; and contribute 33 percent of the total award amount from other state and local resources, which may include in-kind contributions. If a district meets the requirements of a financial hardship, the district must self-certify that the financial hardship requirements are met. LEAs will be required to fulfill all responsibilities outlined in the GAN 37

Key Dates CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction 38

Key Dates Event Date Application due March 15, 2024 Notification of Ineligibility Screening sent April 15, 2024 Notification of Eligibility Scoring sent April 15, 2024 Appeals Due by 5 p.m. April 29, 2024 Funding Notification Letters sent May 13, 2024 Signed GANs due to the CDE September 6, 2024 39

Questions and Answers IEEEP-RFA@cde.ca.gov CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction 40

Thank You 41